Kieran Twaites, a Third Form student at RGS was invited to join the space science group i4is (also known as the Initiative for Interstellar Studies)

The mission of the i4is is to foster and promote education, knowledge and technical capabilities which lead to designs, technologies or enterprise that will enable the construction and launch of interstellar spacecraft. The vision of the Initiative for Interstellar Studies is to aspire towards an optimistic future for humans on Earth and in space. Kieran was asked to contribute to a book published last year and is an active member of the organisation.

i4is have an exam paper for their members, which tests their understanding of spaceship propulsion systems (solar sails; laser sails and nuclear engines) in addition to time dilation as the spacecraft accelerates towards a percentage of the speed of light. This is called the “i4is Science and Interstellar Starship paper”.

Kieran undertook the above paper without any prior coaching or tuition. He passed the exam and indeed is the very first person in the organisation to do so. This achievement is remarkable when the paper is aimed at A Level/Degree students and Kieran is only just 14.